Page 33 - RusRPTDec23

Russian bailiffs say murderers pardoned for military service not exempt from paying damages.
The Kremlin’s favorite fake news factory launches its own polling company ahead of Russia’s 2024 presidential election. In September, Meduza published an investigation into a nonprofit called Dialogue, which has been pivotal in spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation since its creation in 2019. Now, the organisation has reportedly spun off its polling division, which for years has conducted shoddy online surveys and billed the results as meaningful public opinion data, into a separate entity that its leaders hope will aid their ambitions of becoming a one-stop for the government’s PR needs. Meduza special correspondents Svetlana Reiter and Andrey Pertsev explain.
Kremlin labels Moscow Times 'foreign agent.' The Russian government added the Moscow Times to its list of "foreign agents," the outlet reported, citing a Nov. 17 decision by Russia's Justice Ministry. Several other journalists and activists were also included in the newly published list.
Convicted Russian war criminal Girkin announces intention to run for president. However, it would be impossible for Igor Girkin to be registered as a candidate in the March 17, 2024 presidential election without the Kremlin's approval, according to independent observers. Candidates in Russian elections are vetted by the Kremlin beforehand, and voting is heavily rigged.
The Russian Justice Ministry filed a motion with the Supreme Court to label the so-called “international LGBT public movement” as extremist. According to the lawsuit, the LGBT movement has been found to “incite social and religious discord” within Russia in violation of anti-extremism laws. If accepted, this petition would make LGBT activists subject to extremism charges that could result in lengthy prison terms. “Essentially, it would entail criminal prosecution based solely on one’s orientation or identity,” an anonymous activist told The Moscow Times. It would also prevent LGBT organisations or charities from operating within the country.
The Russian government has reacted to planned protests of relatives of mobilized soldiers with concern. Citing Kremlin sources, the news outlet Vyorstka reported that the Presidential Administration called on governors to use financial means to prevent such protests. The federal government is ready to increase transfers to poorer regions (which have proportionally more men mobilized) for social aid if needed. The Kremlin also wants the issue to be handled through the Defenders of Fatherland association headed by Anna Tsivileva, the wife of the governor of the Kemerovo Region and a relative of President Putin. One such protest took place in Moscow on November 7, and at least 30 other events have been planned in several other regions. Most of these were not permitted by the authorities. In Novosibirsk, the governor banned protests outright in 37 squares around the region. There have been reports of law enforcement personnel visiting organizers to remind them of the consequences of attending a non-authorized protest. Authorities have also taken over Telegram chat groups to shut them down, and unknown people have physically limited the media’s access to protest actions. In general, the
33 RUSSIA Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com